Today started out like any other day: wake up at 6AM to work out and then have breakfast, clean, spend time with the Lord and prepare for children’s ministry tomorrow. I was actually feeling sick after lunch so I laid down for a bit and did not think I would be able to go to ministry tonight. You see, every Wednesday, YWAM partakes in a ministry called “La Luz,” or “The Light.” It targets homosexuals, prostitutes and human trafficking. Earlier that day my team and some staff at the base went to pray and sing on the corners where the male prostitutes (transvestites) stand at night. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go since I wasn’t feeling well. As the night rolled around, we set out to find people to talk and minister to, but could not find a single person. We walked over 5-6 blocks and did not see anyone. Then, we saw two men (dressed as women) literally running as fast as they could away from us. When we crossed the street to try and talk to them, they hid and then ran the other direction. Last Wednesday there were 2-3 men on every corner of every block. I was amazed that there was no one out there tonight and that the two we did see ran away from us.
My team prayed as we were feeling slightly discouraged and knew that the enemy had to flee and run away, as we had claimed those areas for God and Him alone earlier in the day. As we turned the corner and walked down one block, we saw three prostitutes standing at the corner. We offered them pepsi and cookies (how we try and start conversations with people) and divided into three small groups to talk to each one of them. I met with a man named Ricardo. I was shocked because last week I had made a card with the name Ricardo on it for another man who I met the week before. He was on my heart and I spent a lot of time making the card, writing down scripture and making it special. As soon as I found out this man’s name was Ricardo, I knew it was a sign from God. I gave him the card and he looked at me sort of puzzled, wondering how I gave him a card that had his name on it. We started out asking the basic questions, like “how are you,” “how old are you,” “do you have family here?” Laura then asked Ricardo how long he had been working as a prostitute. He replied, “three years.” She then asked him why he was doing what he was doing. He responded with, “I don’t want to say.”
I could feel the Lord tugging at my heart as I could see a young man screaming for help when I looked into Ricardo’s eyes. I could see so much goodness inside of him but he was lost in this world. I began to share with him a part of my testimony. And this is how it went:
“I grew up going to church when I was little but I didn’t know Jesus. When I was in 4th grade, my family and I stopped going to church because my brother and I were so busy with sports and other activities. In high school I began experimenting with alcohol and other things. In college, I found my self-worth in relationships with men and partying. I lived this life of constantly trying to find a way to fill this hole inside of me. I tried to find it in drinking, trying to change who I was to fit a certain standard, etc. I actually was raped 3 times.”
With this, I began to weep. I knew that God was in the process of healing me and that He wanted me to share this with Ricardo. Yes, a complete stranger. But as I began to cry out of love for what God has been doing in my life, Ricardo looked into my eyes and took my hand. He comforted me and told me that the same thing happened to him last year. He said that he walking through a homeless park and that he was held at gunpoint and forced to have sex with many men. He said they cut him on his legs. He also told me that people here look down at him. They treat him like he is nothing and don’t value him at all. He then began to open up about why he is selling his body.
It broke my heart to see and hear what he has been through in his life. The Lord continued to pour out of me as I opened myself up as a vessel for His glory. I told Ricardo he is SO worthy. He is enough, he is not forgotten, he has a beautiful soul. I told him to not give up. I told him this is why I share my testimony with people. It’s never easy but I know what God has done in my life and how much He has changed my heart. He has brought healing and freedom in so many areas of my life. Dark places in which I never thought could be healed. I know God wants to do this for everyone else and so this is why I am here.
God never seizes to amaze me. He planned out every single detail of this night – from me making a card for (a) Ricardo to opening up and sharing my testimony with him. I know that it touched him and that he was so happy to have someone to talk to. I could see yearning in his eyes. These men are such broken people who have gone through abuse that we could never even imagine. A lot of them don’t think they are worthy of anything else than selling their bodies. Some of them play it off like they are enjoying their life, while others seem to be screaming, “save me… help me” in their eyes. Ricardo was one of those. Earlier this week I was starting to get discouraged. I was wondering why I am even on this race? What does God want to show me and teach me during times where we seem to be partaking in endless tasks? I know THIS is exactly why I am here. To share my testimony of Jesus, to be a light, to reach out to those that society deems unworthy and to cry and hold a prostitute’s hand. We are all loved so incredibly much by the Most High. He is seeking after each and every one of us – yes, even those who may be stuck in darkness right now. He is the Redeemer. He is the Healer. He is the Light. He is Love. He never fails to use something bad from our past and transform it into a beautiful love story. Let Him use you; you never know what soul could be saved if you don’t try.
